Liner Notes
Tony Branker & Acent: Spirit
Songs
(Sons of Sound SSPCD028)
There are certain individuals in this world
who by virtue of their talent, inspiration, energy
and insight are capable of touching and enriching
our lives. Anthony Branker is one of those people.
Whether it’s the sound of his beautiful
and fluid trumpet/flugelhorn playing, or conducting
one of Princeton University’s many jazz
groups; whether teaching a class or giving a
lecture or creating a new jazz composition, Tony
Branker’s deep personal spirituality and
passion always shines and resonates through.
The CD Spirit Songs is a collection
of some of Branker’s finest works. The
eight pieces, written between 1997 and 2004,
reflect his lyrical and melodic gifts as well
as an abiding fascination with diverse rhythmic
frameworks. Brazilian, Cuban, African and Jamaican
(sister island to the Branker’s Trinidadian
and Barbadian family roots) grooves infuse each
piece with distinct character and feel, providing
each of the soloists with a platform to create
improvisations that leap out at you with their
energy, mood, and incisiveness.
Highlights abound everywhere in this wonderful
CD: Ralph Bowen’s fiery and harmonically
rich solo on “Chant For Peace Eternal” and
Jonny King’s beautiful lines as the song
fades away; Antonio Hart’s relaxed but
thoughtful solo on the bossa tinged “Parris
in April,” written for Tony’s daughter.
Also check out Bowen’s solo on “Parris” — his
entrance and his solo’s end are mirror
images. Take note of Ralph Peterson’s drum
work on the hot and infectious “Spirit
Song,” especiallyhis shifts in accent and
intensity; meanwhile Hart’s solo builds
in passion during the band’s background
playing (check out the grooves of bassist John
Benitez on this track and throughout the entire
CD!). Follow the beauty and imagination of Branker’s “Sketches
of Selim” (written in tribute to longtime
inspiration Miles Davis), where each melodic
section has its own idea and where the collective
jam at the end provides unity and interaction.
Dance along with the reggae shuffle feel of “Imani
(Faith)” — I certainly did! And take
note of Clifford Adams’ work here: his
solo breathes life and vitality, telling the
story as only he can. Then check out the way
in which Jonny King’s solo emerges with
inspiration and fire from Cliff’s! Note
the reflective beauty of “In God’s
Hands,” where Ralph Bowen’s soprano
sax is at once distant and mournful, yet reverential
and pure. “Mentor” is fire personified,
intense and alive. Peterson underpins it all
with a contagious groove and clearly defined
hits, mixing it all up at the end with a beautiful
drum solo. Bowen’s tenor solo is fleet
and multi-colored, and the trombone solo is a
classic Clifford Adams projection, building slowly
and then letting loose. Each Branker piece holds
a different set of compositional surprises and
rewards, from background horn lines to group
jams to rich and redolent harmonic frameworks
for blowing. By the time we reach “J.C.’s
Passion,” a Branker variation on “So
What” and “Impressions,” even
more delights await us. King opens it up with
a hard-swinging solo and everyone else follows
with spirited and expressive contributions — it’s
a beautiful way to bring this wonderful recording
to an end.
Anthony Branker has created a gemstone of a
CD in Spirit Songs. His imagination
and spirit give strength, character and vitality
to each composition, allowing his rich and personal
art to take shape and to delight and enrich us.
I eagerly await his next effort (with his trumpet
playing on board, I hope) and I am proud to call
this exceptional man and artist a creative brother
and lifelong friend.
— Laurie Altman
Assistant Professor of Composition
Westminster Choir
College of Rider University
Spirit Songs is a
project that has been very important to me for
a number of reasons. It is simple in its intent — to
celebrate life and touch the soul. It is also
my opportunity to thank God for guiding me, comforting
me, and providing for me.
There is something indescribable that resides
within each and every one of us that serves to
inspire, strengthen, and uplift. It is a force
capable of taking us to places our consciousness
could not begin to contemplate. I like to believe
that this ‘thing’ is the spirit of
life. For some, ‘being spiritual’ can
simply be viewed as that attempt to connect with
a higher power, a life force, or even to our
own inner soul; however, it can also be a characteristic
of the way we experience the world and live our
lives.
I thank my parents, Joan and Daniel Branker,
for all of the spiritual lessons and guidance
they provided me with throughout my life. The
compositions “Imani (Faith)” and “In
God’s Hands” were written for my
mom and late father and underscore the most important
lesson they could have ever taught me – ‘Always
Put Your Trust and Faith in God.’
I hope you enjoy this musical offering and that
the performances of these wonderful musicians
will uplift and touch your soul in some way.
— Anthony Branker
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